Marathon Training Tips for New Runners Part Two: Equipment

This series is written by Mike.

So you have a pair of Converse Chucks, some jean shorts, and a sleeveless t-shirt. Think you’re ready to train for your first marathon? Uh, NO!

The mistake many new runners make when beginning this lifelong endeavor we call “Self Torture” is to buy nothing, the wrong things, or way too much. For example, here are some tips for gear you’ll want when you begin training. I’ll cover more equipment in later articles:

Shoes

Shoes are the most important part of any runner’s equipment! Heck, I’m even going to write an article devoted to shoe shopping! Don’t skimp on shoes, but don’t buy a pair because they look sharp, or because you think higher price means higher quality. It’s not that easy. Look for Part Three to speak to this topic in more depth.

Clothing

Make sure you buy comfortable running clothes. The best material is a polyester blend, not cotton. Make sure it’s soft, not stiff, because it could end up rubbing you the wrong way, literally. I don’t recommend cotton because it will keep the moisture close to your body and most likely cause rashes on longer runs. You want something with “moisture-wicking” properties.

Men: Sorry about being candid, but guys, unless you’re super-skinny, you may end up having a problem with your shirt rubbing your sensitive chest parts raw. There are numerous antidotes I found online, but honestly, cheap store-brand bandaids work best, and have worked for a whole marathon. I’ve also tried a product called “Body Glide”, but it just doesn’t work for longer distances on the chest. It works well for thigh-chafing though.

Women: You rarely have to worry about chest-chafing because your anatomy is more snuggly fit in your sports bra, but guys don’t have that luxury (well, I guess I could buy a bra for myself, but that would just be wrong and weird!).

As for shorts, get some that don’t ride up on you. Ultimately, you will want to try them on, and ask the retailer if you can take a quick jog around or outside the store. True runner’s shops will understand, but a Target or Sports Authority may not.

Finally, socks and undergarments. There are moisture-wicking socks that cost a decent chunk of change, but you’ll want to pick wisely if you choose to buy them over regular cotton socks. We chose the thin material, and find that our feet slide around way too much in our shoes. Plus we just don’t get much padding with thin socks. Ask if they have any sample pairs (again, true runner’s stores are prepared for this exact request), and try them on with your running shoes.

As for undies and bras, all I can tell you is they get sweaty, and are the closest things to your delicates, so choose the garments well. For your bottom half, choose something that isn’t too tight, but not too loose. For the top, comfort and support are paramount (I asked my wife about this one).

Gear

Oh, where do I start? You have CamelBak backpacks, fanny packs, belts with fluid bottles, hats, headbands, knee supports, ankle supports, special lightweight sunglasses, GPS units, and so on. Here’s the rundown:

Hydration Units
For the extra-long runs (10 miles and up), you’ll want a Camelbak, which usually carries about 45oz (waist packs) to 70oz+ (backpacks). These come VERY handy on hot running days, and I’ve found I went through the whole 70oz bladder and was STILL dehydrated on a 90+ degree day. You DO NOT want to get dehydrated, EVER! Also, the CamelBak is good for carrying your personal items.

For short runs, you’ll want a waist pack to carry your personal items. You can also buy modular belts that can hold water bottles as well as small satchels for your keys/wallet/etc. However, if you plan to buy the item online, be sure you try that model on in a store first. We were about to buy a modular belt unit for my very petite wife, when we decided to try it on and realized it’s just too clunky.

GPS Units
I HIGHLY recommend a Garmin Forerunner GPS wristband. There are a few flavors (201, 301, 205, 305). The 201/301 are older units, and I got our 301 for about $150. The new 205/305 run about $350, but you can probably find them cheaper now. The 305 is more compact and supposedly has a better GPS antenna (ie, a wire that wraps around your wrist).

This unit tracks your speed, distance, elevation, and heart-rate (with the chestband that comes with the 301/305), and you can sync with your PC. Some say they’re not incredibly accurate, but we’ve found them to be well within tolerance.

Other Gear
Other gear like hats, headbands, sunglasses, etc. is up to you to try out. I found that my head needs to breathe more than I need to keep sweat from my eyes, but you may feel the opposite. For knee and ankle braces, you may want to consult with a sports doctor to see if they work or not. Honestly, I’m a heavy guy, and my knees are already bad. I can only avoid pavement so much, and even on rubber, my knees take a pounding. However, I’m doing it without knee equipment that I may regret later in life. Comment if you have any advice for me!

Well, that’s a good, general rundown of the equipment you need (and don’t need) to get you off and running (2 puns in one sentence!). Be sure to check back soon to learn about appropriate shoe sizing and purchasing techniques!

Update: Visit the Marathons for Beginners Collection page to see the rest of the series!

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